Tightener for box straps



March 9, .1926. 1,576,390

H. A. WILLIAMS TIGHTENER FOR BOX STRAPS Filed April 17, 1925 2 Shee ts-Sheet 1 March 9 1926.

. 1,576,390 H. A. WILLIAMS TIGHTENER FOR Box STRAPS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 17, 1925 lien/7J1 Mllzams ,wy m 2m.

Patented Mar. 9, 1926.

warren STATES HENRY A. WILLIAMS, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

TIGHTENER FOR BOX STRAPS.

Application filed Apri1 17, 1925. Serial No. 23,908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY A. WILLIAMS,

character which will be very simple in construction and will be capable of holding one end of the strap while' straightening out the strap and pulling on the other end and also capableof giving a very strong pull on the strap. The invention involves improvements in details of manufacture and combinations of parts as will appear.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side view of a box with a strap applied to it and the tool in position in which the operation starts;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a plan; i

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the completion of the operation;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modification in side view;

Fig. 6 is an edge view of the same;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5, showing the completion of the stretching operation,

and

Fig. 8 is a side view showing the other side of the device.

The invention is used preferably for stretching out straight and holding a metal lic strap 10 or wire extending around a box 11. In its preferred form the invention comprises a strong handle 12 having a shaft 13 through it and an eccentric head 14 on the shaft having teeth 15 out there on so as to constitute a clamping jaw. This shaft is turned in its bearing by a wheel 16 or the like on the other end.

The handle is provided with an integral fulcrum member 17 having a widely curved operating surface projecting down from the end of the handle and gradually extending away from the center. It has a flat surface 18 or jaw directly under the eccentric clamping member 14-. When this eccentric clamping member is turned to the proper position on its axis it will clamp the strap 10 between it and the flat' surface 18. The handle is also provided, at right angles to it, with an integral projection 20 which rests on the box at the beginning of the operation and locates the tool in proper position.

The operation of the device in this form is as follows :-The strap 10 is temporarily fixed to the box at one end by a nail 9 and passed around the box with its other end 22 on the edge of the top of the box. The free end 22 is brought down over thisend and projects out in front. The tool is rested on the box with the handle in vertical position by the projection 20 which is located at the side of the metallic band or strap 10. This brings the clamping surface or jaw 18 just in alignment with the strap so that it can rest on this aw or surface. Then the wheel 16 is turned to bring the eccentric clamping j aw 14. down on the band of metal, as indicated in Fig. 1. This does not have to be turned with any hard pressure as the parts are so located that when the handle is grasped and pulled over to the right in Fig. 1 this action will cause the clamping jaw 15 to clamp the strap more firmly. Now

this tool is rocked over on the fulcrum member 17 to a position indicated in Fig. 4 to draw the band tight around the box. It will'be seen that the fulcrum member is pressed against the strap 10 and holds it in position. Now a nail 25 is inserted through two thicknesses of the strap.

A similar operation is performed in the form shown on the second sheet of the drawings. In this case the handle 80 is provided with a shaft 31 at its end on which the handle turns. On this shaft is fixed by a screw 29 the fulcrum member 32. The handle is free to move on this shaft within certain limits as defined by a pin 83 on the handle and'two shoulders 34L on the fulcrum member, these two shoulders being spaced apart. This fulcrum member has a curved projection 35 integral with it and also has a fiat surface or jaw 36 for receiving the metallic strap or band. It is provided with a second handle 38 for operating it. main handle 30 is also provided with a jaw or surface 36 to hold the strap .or wire. A

pivoted latch 40 is provided for holding the two handles in closed position. On the fulcrum member is a projection 41 which performs the same function as the projection 20 in the other case.

The operation is very similar to that in the other case. The strap being put around The whole tool-around on: thefulcrummember from the position shown in Fig. 5 to that shown in Fig.

7. Theiresults are the same as in the other-case. I

.In both cases an immense -purchase 1s se- :cured by the use of the fulcrumsmember, the parts are started at the right point by :ithe use of the; projection20 or 4:1 andthe ,jaws ,get. such ,-a grip on the strap of metal that with: the leverage above explained the sstrap canbe pulled in two by anordina-ry workman. .The partsrare of simple construc- :tion ,and thevare durable and nojt'likely :to be'brokenin ordinary use.

. Although-I have illustrated and (lescribed 1 only two forms of the inventionrl am. aware of the fact-that other modifications can be :made therein by any person skilled in theart -'.witliout departing fromxthe scone of the inuvention as-expressed inv the claims.

Thereforefll do:.not=-wish to be limited to these; two forms of the invention butawhat :I do clai:m 'is v: 1. In L a box strap. tightening device, the

combination with an operating handle, of a fulcrum member extending from the end thereof 1n:l1ne therewitlrand having a convex outer operating surface at its end for engaging the endof the box, a jaw onthe inner" end thereof, a jaw journalled on the handle eccentrically for cooperating with the first named jaw to grasp the end of a box strap, and a projection at the end of the handle extending at right angles to the length of the handle beyond the edge thereof with,.its'rlowerisurface in therplane of the surface of the jawon the fulcrum; member to serve-asa rest for the tool and hold said jaw in position to receive the box strap.

2. In a device-for the .purpose described, the combination of an opera-tinghandle,having a aw, ,a fulcruminemberconnected with the handle and extending therefrom in a straight line and having a convex surface on which the tool can roll in operation extendmg around" through, about a quarter circle,

and means on the tool projecting outwardly from the handle at right-angles thereto bywhichit can be rested in; proper 'tplacez on a box to receive the end ofaaestrapppassing around the box, said fulcrum t member; having a jaw cooperatingwiththeothen jilWrtO hold the end of the-strap, wherebyithei tool can be rocked, downwardly along the vertical side of the box to stretch the-strap.

In testimony ---whereof I have hereunto afiixe'dmy signature.

.HENRY A. IWILLIAMS. 

